Schmatta

The Man Behind Disney’s Most Haunted Wallpaper

Leonora Epstein — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 13:51:32 GMT

Here’s a confession: I’m a bit of a Disneyland nerd. Mind you, I’m specifically enamored with vintage Disneyland. As a kid, I used to visit the theme park once a year, and its design definitely contributed to my fascination with historic architecture. I wanted to live in the Haunted Mansion and commute to work on Main Street USA via the Disneyland Railroad.

Back in 2022, I had the opportunity to interview a true legend: Rolly Crump. Rolly was an Imagineer at Disney during the 1960s and 1970s, working on films like Peter Pan and Sleeping Beauty before transitioning to Disneyland attractions like the Tiki Room and the Haunted Mansion.

At the time I met him, Rolly was 92 and living in Oceanside, California. (He passed away the following year.) I took a drive down to his condo to talk to him about his career, but more specifically, I had burning questions about the iconic wallpaper in the Haunted Mansion, which he’s credited with designing. (You can read the original article I wrote here.)

That visit resulted in this very awkward photo in which I am nearly perched on Rolly’s lap, like a kid posing for a picture with Santa:

Via Reddit

The Mansion wallpaper — a purple-and-black motif that appears to be damask, but is actually creepy eyes and otherworldly beings — has earned cult status, almost a fandom in its own right.

What Are Paint Colors of the Year Trying to Tell Us?

Leonora Epstein — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:42:36 GMT

Welcome, readers, to the odd time of year when retailers are trying to sell you “seasonal fall decor” (oh I have OPINIONS); you’re shocked by the prices of Halloween candy; and, it’s oddly “Paint Color of the Year” season.

If you’ve been a subscriber for a while, then you know I’ve long been on the “Paint Color of the Year” beat. Otherwise known in industry as the acronym:

C

O

T

Y

Aka “color of the year”/COTY/COTY(s).

The timing of COTYs is odd. Come September/October, major paint companies announce their “colors of the year” for the following year. So the announcements we’ve been getting now are for 2027.

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And, depending on who you ask in the paint industry, COTYs are mostly marketing and PR efforts.

Still, each year, I feel compelled to devote mental and intellectual space to COTYs. Not because I believe paint companies have any particular ability to predict which colors we’ll all be painting our living rooms, but because they’ve taken on the responsibility of diagnosing the national mood on an annual basis.

And what’s remarkable is how little their diagnoses change. For the better part of six years, paint companies have been telling us that we’re seeking the same things: calm, comfort, connection, and a sense of being grounded. There are subtle peaks and valleys, but it all comes back to the same retail-oriented mentality: YOU NEED HELP! YOUR LIFE IS A MESS! AND PAINT WILL SAVE YOU!

Looking at what America has been through since 2020, I can hardly argue with the assessment that we’re all in some degree of economic and emotional distress. It’s been a shitshow!

And need I list in dramatic fashion all the epic shitshowiness the United States, nay, the world has been through this year alone? No, I need not. You know it.

But then again, when has the world not been in some state of upheaval? When have people not craved a little peace and stability? At a certain point, these announcements start to feel less like observations about the cultural zeitgeist and more like statements about the human condition. And the statement is: “We’re permanently fucked.”

To which I pray, to an unknown, cocaine-fueled god: GOD, WON’T SOMEONE DELIVER US BACK TO THE ‘80S?

But I digress.

Let us take a look at what “2027” is telling us in terms of color. In the table below, I’ve listed the three most recognizable American paint brands and their COTYs since 2025.

Truly Great Toilets

Leonora Epstein — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:32:05 GMT

Reminder to paid subs: This month, you’re automatically entered to win an Aarke sparkling water machine. Not a paid subscriber? Upgrade here so you can enter!

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I am simultaneously impressed and bored by toilets.

Impressed because:

When you think about it, it’s kind of a miracle that humankind has figured out a system in which everyone’s shit just magically disappears. And the fact that some form of plumbing has existed since ancient times…it’s astounding, really.

Bored because:

The toilet has hardly evolved since the 20th century. It has become standard, uninteresting, and frankly, ugly. (BTW, same thing goes for light switches, although that’s changing. You can read my exploration in the New York Times here.)

Everywhere you go, it’s the same design rendered in white, which is truly a terrible color for a toilet. Apparently, toilets are white because that is the natural hue of porcelain after it’s fired. I’d also imagine it had something to do with the Victorians, who popularized subway tile as a material that was deemed most sanitary.

But, if you look hard enough, there are several instances of people who have dared to reinterpret the toilet, which we’ll be examining in today’s post. We’ll also look at sources for great toilets should you be considering a bathroom renovation anytime soon.

Apropos of kind of nothing, here is a kid on Instagram who is obsessed with toilets:

Giveaway: Aarke Sparkling Water Maker

Leonora Epstein — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:11:09 GMT

Welcome to October!

Here’s some good news for all you paid subscribers: we have a very, very cool giveaway this month from the good people at Aarke. They’re giving away an Aarke Carbonator 3 in heritage green.

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I became aware of Aarke around three years ago when I was searching for a new French press for my husband. It’s a Swedish company that has a cult…

You Can Still Buy Great Architecture in L.A. for $1 Million

Leonora Epstein — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:28:43 GMT

I want to start of today’s edition with a question for the group chat. Would you rather…

A) Buy a home with great architectural bones under-market price that needs cosmetic work

-or-

B) Spend above-market for a move-in ready home that lacks character?

I am squarely in category “A”. And I recently came across a home that, I swear, is the deal of the century …

Shopping Guide: Outdoor Furniture & Patio/Pool/Garden

Leonora Epstein — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:24:41 GMT

Hello, folks!

Even though it’s nearing the end of the outdoor season, I thought I’d drop my guide for all things patio/garden/pool now, seeing as it’s actually a great time to buy — there are lots of extended Labor Day sales happening, so there are deals to be had. This collection of makers and retailers covers everything from outdoor seating, dining, and decoration, as well as sources for outdoor showers, landscaping features, and hardware.

As a reminder, this guide is part of our larger, very extensive ULTIMATE HOME SHOPPING GUIDE, which basically covers…everything.

The Toxic Job That Made Me Embrace Home

Leonora Epstein — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 12:59:32 GMT

(A disclaimer: I rarely speak negatively about my past work experiences. It’s not a good look. But more than a decade has passed, this company no longer exists, and I’ve always felt that I’ve had the right to tell this story.)

In 2015, I found myself in the worst, most toxic work environment I’ve ever experienced.

I was in my late twenties, and was broug…

Good Schmutz, vol. 18: Design Things I've Found & Loved

Leonora Epstein — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 14:23:25 GMT

Don’t forget! If you want to enter to win our Noihsaf Bazaar $200 giveaway, you must be a paid sub!

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I usually space out my design roundups more, but there’s just been so much good stuff, that I had to share! Allons-y!

#1: Meet the new Oeuvres Sensibles (j/k, nothing should replace OS): Masami Akatsuka, an artist based in France who makes one-of-a-kind patchwork curtains and decor. Here is her IG.

#2: This isn’t super new, but I’m obsessed. Kohler sells this water filtration doo-dad that will give you room temp, cold, hot, or SPARKLING water at the touch of a button. Can I please get this in my non-fancy kitchen? FYI, I’m obsessed with Kohler and its history. Kohler: Please sponsor me!

#3: Attn: Design parents. Meet Steely, “considered feeding products” in marble-inspired motifs.

#4: The Kelly Wearstler x H&M Home collab launches today! Check out the Noxen chair, the Myra side table, and the Mona clothing rack.

#5: New addition to the Schmatta Rug Guide. Bi-Rite’s solid-color, perforated rugs. V. design cool kid.

The New "It" Sofa Color Is...

Leonora Epstein — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:22:56 GMT

Don’t forget! To enter to win our Noihsaf Bazaar $200 giveaway, you must be a paid sub!

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If you’ve been around here for a while, you know how I feel about “design trends.”

Still. Today, we’re talking about a supposedly trending couch color.

When it comes to couches, it’s more the “style” that begins to catch on. A new generation gets into the Camaleonda (a word I will never learn to spell) or Camaleonda knock-offs. The overstuffed linen couch look has been big for a bit, and yes I do own a Sixpenny.

When it comes to couch colors, people play it safe: white, gray, dark gray, medium gray, beige, black, navy, maybe a hunter green. And despite being someone who is currently sitting on a beige sofa (although I do have a second slipcover in a “sweet potato” hue), I do believe that buyers should take larger risks with their couches. Think about it. An unexpected/loud couch instantly gets you into “design.” To wit:

But I get it: Couches are really expensive, and unless you are rich or a design editor, you can’t just “switch it up,” which is why most people pick a solid, neutral color. Something Inoffensive.

But I think there’s a new hue in town, and here’s how I got to that thinking…

Zillow’s Most "Creative" Headlines

Leonora Epstein — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 14:34:36 GMT

[I’m running a “Birthday Month Special” on paid subscriptions for all of August. Only $4.80/month and you’ll have access to all my Ultimate Home Shopping Guides!]

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Do you know why Zillow is called Zillow? It’s a portmanteau of “zillion” and “pillow”: “zillion” for the enormous amount of real estate information on the platform, and “pillow” for a place to rest your head, something that evokes home. Make of that what you will.

(That’s a fairly random way into this post, but it came up in my research and I refuse to waste a perfectly good piece of Zillow trivia.)

Anyway, today’s post is about a much tinier piece of Zillow real estate: the little upper-left blurb agents get to put on a listing that appears in search results. Internally, Zillow calls it a “headline.”

Ostensibly, this is a realtor’s chance to stop a buyer mid-scroll. For the most part, agents stick to the standards:

High ceilings
New roof
Wood-burning fireplace
Modern updates
Blah blah blah

Interestingly, Zillow has a guide for writing successful descriptions that include words statistically proven to add value including:

Captivating: Homes with a median estimated value in the top third of the market sold for 6.5% more than their expected price when listings included this word.
Other words found to add value: Stainless (appliances), granite, basketball (hoop or court), landscaped, pergola, remodel, tile, upgraded and updated, impeccable and beautiful.
— Zillow Real Estate Description Guide

But when it comes to that little “headline,” sometimes realtors use this space to editorialize and “get creative,” and I love to see it. There’s two categories of amusement: 1) the realtors who are straight-up lying and 2) people who are really trying to sell it. I’ve collected a bunch that caught my attention, taken from listings across the country and across budgets.

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“Sweet” side porch, dude.

Giveaway: Noihsaf Bazaar Gift Certificate

Leonora Epstein — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:54:48 GMT

Great news, y’all. Noihsaf Bazaar is going to give one of you $200 to spend on whatever you please. Read on to find out entry rules.

If you’re unfamiliar: Noihsaf (“fashion” backwards) is one of my favorite resale marketplaces for clothing (contemporary and vintage) and homegoods. It’s curated, and features lots of great independent brands.

My picks for c…

Good Schmutz vol. 17: Design Things I've Found & Loved

Leonora Epstein — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:21:19 GMT

Here we are, folks! Another run of Good Schmutz, my roundup of design things I think are cool/beautiful/at least worth knowing about. Shall we get started?

#1: Lovely new wallpaper source alert: CommonRoom. UK-based, delivers to the States, inspired by William Morris, but far more modern/playful.

#2: Shameless plug, but FYI if you haven’t heard, I’ve spent hours creating specific shopping guides. Bookmark them anytime you’re searching…but don’t want to (Google) search.

#3: New addition to my tile guide: Tilecito. (Female-founded biz!) And specifically their tile shelves. Great for a kids’ bath! Great for your bath! Great for any wall at all!

#4: My friend, the lovely Lazy Jamie (who is not at all lazy) just launched her new “ladies who lunch serving set.” A reasonable $82 for making your salad look like a work of art. cc:

#5: Trending this month on IG: Dabito’s New Orleans kitchen. I’m very into this post where he breaks down the entire cost of the reno. I also appreciate him breaking out the gifted/sponsored costs which so many decorator-influencers just pretend doesn’t exist.

#6: Two interesting design fair updates. Alcova is coming to Mexico City for the city’s 2027 Art Week. And Morocco is launching a two-day design event in Casablanca this fall. PRs: Send me to either/both!

THE Home Shopping Guide

Leonora Epstein — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 13:46:31 GMT

Hello Schmattaworld!

It has been months, nay, a year, since I realized that I needed to do something about my shopping guides. We all need a place that has a ton of resources so we’re not just blindly Googling “couch,” and hoping the G-box brings us the right one. Back in ye olde days of the Web 1.0, I used to bookmark ’s shopping list page; anytime I wa…

Master List: Schmatta’s Ultimate Home Shopping Guide

Leonora Epstein — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:04:20 GMT

Welcome to Schmatta’s Ultimate Home Shopping Guide. It’s your resource to everything you could ever need for your home. Click on a section for each specific guide.

FURNITURE/DECOR

Click here

TABLEWARE, GLASSWARE, PLATES, TABLE LINENS

Click here

PAINT, FABRIC & WALLPAPER

Click here

RUGS

Click here

LIGHTING

Click here

TILE & FLOORING

Click here

KIDS

Click here

TOWELS & SHOWER CURTAINS

Click here

SHEETS & BLANKETS

Click here

BATHROOM & PLUMBING FIXTURES

Click here

HARDWARE

Click here

VINTAGE

Click here

VINYL STORAGE

Click here

CABINETRY

Click here

Schmatta is written by Leonora Epstein, a former shelter pub editor-in-chief. Follow at @_leonoraepstein and/or @schmattamag. For consulting and collab requests, please visit my website.